USF defense aims for encore with West Virginia

Thursday

TAMPA -- Steve Slaton and Pat White are college football's dynamic duo, making West Virginia the only team in America that has two legitimate Heisman Trophy candidates.

Both juniors, they have put up astonishing numbers. In many circles, Slaton is considered the best tailback in the country and White the most versatile and best running quarterback in the nation.

They have few sub-par games in their careers and the University of South Florida is most responsible. It is a reason the 18th-ranked Bulls are optimistic about their chances against fifth-ranked West Virginia on Friday night in what undoubtedly will be the biggest game in USF history.

Last year, in the Bulls' 24-19 upset over the Mountaineers, Slaton had only 43 yards on 18 carries, his lowest output of the regular season. In 2005, he finished with 86 yards on 28 carries.

Slaton is ranked No. 1 among all active NCAA I-A players, averaging 125 yards per game and 6.3 yards per carry. But in his two games against USF, he has just 129 yards on 46 carries, a 2.8 average.

White was limited to 17 yards on 15 carries last year -- his lowest output of the season -- after burning the Bulls for 177 yards on 11 carries in the Mountaineers' 28-13 victory in 2005. He had a high ankle sprain that might have slowed him down last year, though he says it wasn't a factor.

USF's players said they learned a lot from White in the '05 game, which helped prepare them for last year's game. They also appear to have the right mix of quickness, athleticism and a willingness to play unselfish, which is the key according to defensive lineman Richard Clebert.

"You can't care who gets the tackle," Clebert said. "You have to be in your lane and stay there all game even if you don't make one tackle. You can't worry about statistics.

"We have the speed, so for us it's all about discipline. I remember the first time we played them. You think someone else has the ball and you go for them and then White breaks a big run. We learned you can't do that against them."

With a 543-pound bench press, the 6-foot, 305-pound Clebert is the strongest player on the team. He often draws a double-team, which frees some of his teammates to make a tackle or get a sack. Though it keeps his number of tackles down, the Miami native is fine with that.

"We just want to win no matter who gets the credit," Clebert said. "I think they might have even given one of my sacks to George (Selvie), but I don't mind."

Few people have been more impressed with USF's defense than WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez. Despite having the No. 2 rushing offense in the country (357 yards per game), he knows nothing is going to come easy this game.

"The opportunities for a big play don't come very often with them and if we do get one we have to take advantage of it," Rodriguez said. "They are so athletic and have a very good scheme. And they will be playing with so much emotion with the sellout crowd. It's going to be a very hostile environment for us."

Rodriguez said even when his two weapons get through USF's defensive front four they have to deal with a talented set of linebackers. And the Bulls' two cornerbacks, Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams, play more like safeties with their hard-hitting tackles.

"They are two of the better ones in the country," Rodriguez said. "Up front, George Selvie (USF defensive end) is very quick off the ball and is one of the most explosive guys in the game. He can be very disruptive."

USF-West Virginia notebook

USF ranks first nationally in third-down percentage defense, holding opponents to a 20.4 percent success rate. On the offensive side, WVU is third, converting 55.8 percent of its attempts. ... USF ranks seventh in total defense; WVU ranks 10th in total offense. ... Jenkins, a Southeast High graduate, is second in the nation in passes defended with seven. ... USF's Clebert has benched 225 pounds 43 times, most on the team.

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